Some new pics of work on the basement 'entrance'.
Carving the fake columns (made from assembled 2 x 6's).
Concept.
Partial installation of the actual entrance. The cross beams and trim work and the hole in the roof/awning with night sky showing through has yet to be added.
Corner view.
Another angle of the corner.

OOOOH! PRiiiiTTY!
you have such a wonderfull feel for atmosphere, balance, color,inspiration and general design.
Do you have any formal education in this stuff, or is it just a natural talent?
If this is a deity given thing, I need to have a word or 2 with my own personal ones,
Maybe there is something left in the gift bag for me!

Dearest Robb, Palapala, 4WDTiki, you are all being waaaaaaaaaaaaaaay too kind (but I sure do appreciate the nice feedback --thank you ).
I most certainly have no training in any of this (it's really more technique than talent). I've worked in film and video production and sometimes designed and put together sets --so that makes me think carefully about the placing of 'props' and design elements in an attempt to get the most visual impact. I've learned the contruction techniques as I've gone along on this project (and have the scars to prove it).

Palapala, in my view, all of this stuff is god given

4WDTiki, I used a router for the lines (even to outline the flowers). I then used the tried 'n true propane torch technique. I torched the wood to the point that the burned surface starts puckering and then I wire brush away the charred remains to get that nice 'rise' out of the grain (since the grain burns slower than the meat of the wood). Sometimes I'll do this twice.

Disneyland does this to some of it's woodwork but they more commonly use sandblasting to get the effect (ie--the beautifully textured wood railings and posts on some of the Fantasyland rides).

For the flowers, I got out the chisels and, using the routered outline, chiseled them out to give them more of a concaved carved look and texture to add a contrasting look. I stained the poles a dark brown and 'stipple brushed' a golden oak stain on the flowers for contrast and to make them look warm but slightly faded and aged.

Just to let you know - I bookmarked this link because your room is awesome. I am very new to this site but want to build a tiki lounge in an extra bedroom that I have and you have given me even more inspiration than I had to this point. The connection that you have to Disney and what you have done and are doing in your house is awesome! I have one daughter who works for Disney World, (she hangs out with Mickey, Minnie, etc.) and a younger daughter who wants to work in concept, so believe me, I know where you are coming from, lol! (Maybe you can tell me what she needs to do i.e. school, etc). Anyway, this room is as good as I've seen at Disney and is absolutely fantastic! PLEASE keep posting pics!!

Thanks Babalu - love that one as well! My youngest daughter always calls me an old hippie, so I decided to run with it. I LOVE THIS SITE! It has become my home away from home to escape the realities of work and politics. I save my favorite pics and just spend time looking at them. Am I hooked on Tiki??? Is this what it's all about??

Thank you all very much for the nice words.
I have a question about Lahala matting. I'd like to age it and give it that old, slightly darkened patina. Can any of you share recipes for finishes you've used? I'm guessing some mixture of stain and polyurethane or...?
Bamboo Ben does beautiful work with some kind of mixture.
Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

Paint and wipe techniques generally work well: Apply a stain or thinned paint (I've also mixed water based stain and paint)and wipe off excess with a cloth. Whether the cloth is dry or damp or soaked in the material you're applying all depends on what sort of look you're going for.

The surface of some natural materials can be resistant to taking stain so finishes have to sit on the surface. A full wipe will often remove everything applied but a patting technique will work.

When I age something I don't want it to look like a piece of made in China "rustic" decor. Avoiding signs of brush strokes and wiping is important.

Many surfaces in a bar that have acquired a genuine patina of age have often been cleaned over time so broad flat surface areas might be essentially clean with all the "age" showing in the cracks and edges.